ADB appoints new PH country director
Jeffries will lead ADB operations in the Philippines with an estimated $13-billion active portfolio, oversee the implementation of the Country Partnership Strategy 2024-2029, and manage ADB's relationships with the government, private sector, and development partners.
'The economy is at a critical juncture, with huge infrastructure and social protection investments rolling out and starting to bear fruit. More needs to be done to ensure no one is left behind and risks such as those related to climate change are mitigated as the country strives toward upper-middle income status,' he said in a statement.
'My immediate priority is to see that ADB does everything we can to help the Philippine government with their development priorities. I am also excited to grow ADB's support to mobilize private capital and expertise as an important part of our overall assistance,' he added.
Jeffries served as ADB country director for Vietnam from 2020 to 2023, director of the Southeast Asia Energy Division from 2016 to 2020, and head of ADB's energy sector operations in India from 2013 to 2016.
He also served as senior vice president at Fortis Capital Corp., and vice president in the Global Energy Division of GE Capital's Structured Finance Group.
Jeffries holds a master's degree in international affairs specializing in international economic policy from Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Bucknell University. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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